"1936-2025 In memoriam: The Music of Pope Francis" is a monumental tribute album celebrating the life and legacy of Pope Francis, featuring the timeless compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach. Released on April 22, 2025, under the UME - Global Clearing House label, this classical masterpiece spans an impressive 4 hours and 11 minutes, offering a profound journey through the sacred and secular works that have resonated deeply with the Pope.
The album opens with the hauntingly beautiful "O Bone Iesu," performed by The Sistine Chapel Choir and Massimo Palombella, setting a tone of reverence and solemnity. It continues with Bach's iconic "Goldberg Variations," showcasing the intricate and mesmerizing piano work that has captivated audiences for centuries. The tracklist is a rich tapestry of Bach's most celebrated pieces, including the serene "Aria - Da Capo" from the Goldberg Variations, the contemplative "Für Alina," and the majestic "Missa Tango: Kyrie."
Beyond Bach, the album also features works by other classical greats such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, adding depth and variety to the collection. Highlights include Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat, K.595: 2. Larghetto" and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio," both of which are performed with exquisite precision and passion.
The album is a testament to the enduring power of classical music to inspire, comfort, and uplift. Whether you are a devoted fan of Johann Sebastian Bach or a newcomer to the world of classical music, "1936-2025 In memoriam: The Music of Pope Francis" offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. It is a fitting tribute to Pope Francis, whose love for music and the arts has been well-documented, and a beautiful reminder of the timeless beauty of Bach's compositions.
O Bone IesuGiovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Sistine Chapel Choir, Massimo Palombella
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria - Da CapoJohann Sebastian Bach, Karl Richter
Für AlinaArvo Pärt, Alice Sara Ott
Misa Tango: KyrieLuis Bacalov, Ana Maria Martinez, Plácido Domingo, Héctor Ulises Passarella, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Ciro Visco
Misa Tango: CredoLuis Bacalov, Ana Maria Martinez, Plácido Domingo, Héctor Ulises Passarella, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Ciro Visco
Missa Papae Marcelli: I. KyrieGiovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Sistine Chapel Choir, Massimo Palombella
Parsifal, WWV 111 / Act 1: Verwandlungsmusik - LiveRichard Wagner, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Hans Knappertsbusch
Ave verum corpus, K. 618Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Norbert Balatsch
Viola da gamba Sonata in D Major, BWV 1028: I. Adagio - Performed on Cello & PianoJohann Sebastian Bach, Mischa Maisky, Martha Argerich
The Lord's PrayerAlbert Hay Malotte, Andrea Bocelli, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
Piano Sonata No. 2 in F Major, K. 280: II. AdagioWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Clara Haskil
Mass In C Minor, K.427 "Grosse Messe": 3b. Credo: Et incarnatus estWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maria Stader, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56: 2. Largo - attacca - Live at Philharmonie, Berlin / 2019Ludwig van Beethoven, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Yo-Yo Ma, Daniel Barenboim, West-Eastern Divan Orchestra
Turandot, Act III: Nessun dorma!Giacomo Puccini, Luciano Pavarotti, John Alldis Choir, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
Mass In C Minor, K.427 "Grosse Messe": 1. KyrieWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maria Stader, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin
Ave MariaGiovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Sistine Chapel Choir, Massimo Palombella
Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat, K.595: 2. LarghettoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Clara Haskil, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Ferenc Fricsay
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466: II. RomanceWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Clara Haskil, Orchestre Lamoureux, Igor Markevitch
Mi Buenos Aires QueridoCarlos Gardel, Alfredo Le Pera
La espuela (Arr. D'Arienzo)Elsa Pigrau Guidini, Cuarteto Soltango
La Strada - Balletto / I. Strada costiera: 1. Andante largo - Molto tranquilloNino Rota, Giuseppe Grazioli, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi
On Earth As It Is In HeavenEnnio Morricone
Mass / I. Devotions Before Mass: II. Hymn and Psalm: "A Simple Song" - LiveLeonard Bernstein, Kevin Vortmann, Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Monsieur Saint-PierreHenri Contet, L. Hess, Édith Piaf
OblivionAstor Piazzolla, Daniel Binelli, Louise Pellerin, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Charles Dutoit
Chiquilín de BachínAstor Piazzolla, Ezequiel Cortabarría, José Maria Gallardo del Rey
Libertango - orchestrated by Luis Enriques BacalovAstor Piazzolla, Héctor Ulises Passarella, Luis Bacalov, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung
Ave MariaAstor Piazzolla, Enrico Dindo, I Solisti di Pavia
Milonga del ÁngelAstor Piazzolla, Daniel Binelli, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Charles Dutoit
Sicut cervus: I. Sicut cervusGiovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Stile Antico
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046: II. AdagioJohann Sebastian Bach, Hansheinz Schneeberger, Manfred Clement, Hermann Baumann, Werner Meyendorf, Karl Kolbinger, Hedwig Bilgram, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter
Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: Agnus Dei: I. Agnus Dei (Aria)Johann Sebastian Bach, Anna Reynolds, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lorin Maazel
Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major, Op. 60: III. Allegro vivace - Live at Alte Philharmonie, Berlin, 1943Ludwig van Beethoven, Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Don Quixote, Op. 35: XIV. Finale. The Death of Don Quixote. Sehr ruhigRichard Strauss, Pierre Fournier, Giusto Cappone, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D / Act 3: FinaleRichard Wagner, Orchestre de Paris, Daniel Barenboim
Piano Sonata No. 10 In C Major, K.330: 2. Andante cantabileWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Clara Haskil
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brioLudwig van Beethoven, Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwängler
Violin Sonata No. 35 in A Major, K. 526: III. PrestoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Arthur Grumiaux, Clara Haskil
In the Steppes of Central AsiaAlexander Borodin, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Matthäus-Passion, BWV 244, Pt. 2: No. 39, Aria. Erbarme dich (Alto)Johann Sebastian Bach, Christa Ludwig, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Solemn March to the Holy Grail from Parsifal, S. 450Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt, Daniel Barenboim
Johannes-Passion, BWV 245, Pt. 1: No. 1, Herr, unser HerrscherJohann Sebastian Bach, Heiner Hopfner, Nikolaus Hillebrand, Frank Sahesch-Pur, Roman Hankeln, Aldo Baldin, Hans Georg Ahrens, Collegium St. Emmeram, Regensburger Domspatzen, Hanns-Martin Schneidt
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto - Live at Alte Philharmonie, Berlin, 1943Ludwig van Beethoven, Berliner Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwängler